He was a psychologist and psychotherapist, though people called him "doctor" like any other kind of physician.
Initially, his goal had been to become a psychiatrist, but that title tended to lead to misunderstandings. To alleviate the concerns of potential patients and their families—mainly those related to appearances and face-saving—he changed his specialization to "psychologist."
Over decades of practice, he had encountered all sorts of peculiar patients and their families, some of whom left a particularly deep impression. Nearly seventeen years later, he still clearly remembered that distant afternoon when the legendary assassin family, the Zoldycks, arrived.
Following the appointment time, a silver-haired young man came to his private clinic.
The clinic was situated within his villa, which had been appropriately modified to include all necessary facilities. It could accommodate up to ten patients requiring complete residential treatment.
What were the Zoldycks? They were the world's foremost assassin family. Although the Zoldycks resided on Mount Pk. Pk., a renowned tourist destination, hardly anyone had ever seen the true faces of the Zoldyck family members.
The villa was located in the suburbs, and no cameras were installed in the common areas to maximize privacy, and also... for the doctor's personal anticipation.
Before the gift box was opened, he could fully anticipate its contents. As for security, hiring professionals to guard the place would suffice. Besides, he was not entirely defenseless; regardless of strength, he at least possessed quick reflexes. Otherwise, he would have long since ended his career due to unpredictable violence from his patients.
Considering the arrival of a member from the renowned assassin family, and facing a top-tier professional assassin, the doctor felt a twinge of nervousness alongside his anticipation, thinking he might not have a chance to call for help if anything were to happen. However, he had no regrets, not a single one. His anticipation for the gift box far outweighed his fear.
He would exert great effort to suppress his curiosity and refrain from scrutinizing the other person, ensuring not to cause offense. He would act as he always did.
While it was a clinic, the common areas were decorated no differently from a regular villa. There was no smell of disinfectant, alcohol, or other medical supplies. Warm, natural wood tones filled the entire space. Large floor-to-ceiling windows let in sunlight, and beyond them, the lush greenery was a stark contrast to the urban hustle and bustle, with the chirping of insects and birds particularly clear.
"Hello, Mr. Zoldyck."
"Hello." The silver-haired youth, dressed in a simple outfit, had a high nose bridge and sharp, defined features that exuded a handsome, angular look. Beneath his sword-like eyebrows were vertical pupils, giving his eyes a piercing gaze. His tall, robust physique made him resemble a righteous and upright martial artist rather than a covert professional assassin.
It wasn't unusual for the true appearance of professional assassins to diverge significantly from conventional stereotypes. After all, this wasn't a comic for children. Real-life criminals didn't necessarily look like villains; they might even appear more virtuous than good people—one could know their face but not their heart.
After guiding the guest to a sofa, the doctor sat on the sofa opposite him.
The doctor was slightly surprised to learn that Mr. Zoldyck's reason for consultation was related to his daughter. Mr. Zoldyck appeared to be less than twenty-five years old, yet he was already facing parenting troubles. Perhaps it was due to the inherent dangers of his profession as an assassin, prompting him to have offspring earlier to ensure the continuation of the family line?
What kind of grave problem could the incredibly mysterious assassin family be facing that they sought him out? He had considered many possibilities, but he had never imagined that the patient needing his treatment would be a girl barely over one year old.
According to Mr. Zoldyck's description, the little girl seemed to have congenital autism. She was indifferent to those around her, living in her own world, and had recently begun exhibiting destructive and self-harming behavior.
"She only cut her finger with a shard of glass once; it could be due to curiosity," the doctor said. "It's normal for a child of that age not to understand that doing so would cause injury."
"Perhaps," Mr. Zoldyck replied noncommittally. "She's been rather peculiar since birth. She refuses to eat anything, including water. We've had specialized doctors examine her, and her body is perfectly healthy. Switching formula and using appetite-stimulating medication have been ineffective. The condition persisted for over a month. The day she started eating, nothing was particularly special, and we still don't know the reason."
"When she was born, she didn't cry or fuss, and her eyes lacked any spark. I thought she wouldn't survive," Mr. Zoldyck recalled. "In fact, she does have a deficiency; she lacks vocal cords. We haven't detected any intellectual problems; she can understand what people say. She started walking at ten months. Although she still showed no affection towards anyone, she was interested in the outside world and liked to wander around. Of course, we were happy to see her lively moments. As long as she didn't try to harm herself, the issue of damaging objects was secondary."
"This is a bad omen, and I feel it's necessary to get expert advice," Mr. Zoldyck stated.
"Yes, you are right. Early education is very important," the doctor said. "Congenital conditions require long-term, continuous treatment and rehabilitation training. Autistic patients are often very stubborn and sensitive. If there's any mishandling, your daughter might eventually have a complete mental breakdown. How about entrusting your daughter to me for observation and treatment? She is a very rare patient, and if I can cure her, it would be my greatest honor."
Mr. Zoldyck glanced at the doctor indifferently. That single glance seemed to drain all the warmth from the afternoon sun, sending a chill down the doctor's spine.
"You can tour our completely enclosed treatment facilities. There are no blind spots in the surveillance, allowing you to monitor the patient's condition at any time, and all treatment processes are safe and transparent." However, the doctor was courageously persistent.
Interacting with highly unusual individuals with distorted minds was the doctor's initial motivation for pursuing his current profession. Curing patients was secondary; the primary goal was to satisfy his thirst for novelty. In pursuit of this mental satisfaction, he had always remained fearless of danger, which had led to his current career.
"I'd like to hear your other suggestions," Mr. Zoldyck said.
"I'd like to see my patient in person," the doctor replied. "Without direct observation, I cannot make a diagnosis based solely on descriptions."
Thus, the doctor journeyed to Mount Pk. Pk. and met the child.
She had the same silver hair and blue eyes as Mr. Zoldyck, fair skin, and was incredibly cute. Viewed from above, her slightly curly, fluffy silver hair looked as soft as clouds, making him want to ruffle it.
Her living arrangements and necessities were as elaborate as her vast private estate, arguably comparable to those of a royal princess.
Seeing was believing; the Zoldycks were not just ordinarily wealthy.
The child was likely doted upon, at least in terms of material possessions. Her parents also seemed concerned about her condition. However, like most autistic patients the doctor had encountered, she remained immersed in her own world, solitary in nature, never smiling, and often ignoring those around her or avoiding their gaze.
"It's not just solitude; she gives me a feeling of melancholy," the doctor told Mr. and Mrs. Zoldyck. "Autism and depression are two different conditions, but autism can sometimes trigger depression."
"Depression is a symptom caused by excessive psychological stress. Her destructive tendencies might be a form of release," the doctor continued. "Generally, babies around seven or eight months old can imitate the sounds of those around them. By her age, she should already understand many adult conversations and want to express herself more. Since she cannot speak, she can only do so through other means."
"Express? Oh." Mrs. Zoldyck said with a hint of surprise, "She was too quiet before, and I was worried she was slow to respond. So, is this situation actually a good thing?"
"In a way," Mr. Zoldyck said with a slight frown. "If you don't count the vase she almost broke..."
Mr. Zoldyck's wife was quite displeased that he had concealed his daughter's suspected self-harming behavior. She was very talkative and showed an extraordinary level of concern for her daughter. She might be a good mother, or perhaps the opposite, as too much of a good thing could be detrimental.
The Zoldycks' approach to their child appeared similar to that of ordinary parents on the surface, and the child's condition was not particularly peculiar, leaving the doctor slightly disappointed.
Since he was already there, the doctor dutifully provided his consultation findings. As the child was only a little over a year old and not yet of writing age, he suggested that Mr. and Mrs. Zoldyck teach their daughter sign language first, giving her a way to communicate further with those around them.
During her lessons, they could guide her to use her newly acquired knowledge to interact with them and provide timely rewards to encourage more expression.
They could also teach her to draw, and by understanding her drawings, they could delve into her inner world and communicate with her more effectively.
"Your daughter spends a lot of time outdoors when she wanders around. Since she is drawn to nature, you could get her a pet as a companion. If they get along well, a cute pet can heal the soul to some extent and help her learn to accept intimate relationships," the doctor said. "Unlike with positive feelings, children with autism are highly sensitive to negative emotions, which is why they instinctively distance themselves from others. This will be a long process. Children with autism require double the care and attention, much more patience and perseverance, and frequent companionship so they can gradually feel the beauty and love in this world."
According to the consultation with Mr. Zoldyck six years later, they had indeed followed the doctor's advice and arranged sign language and drawing lessons for their daughter. They also gave her a hawk as a pet. Upon receiving the pet, she smiled for the first time in her life. Although her expressiveness remained low, she was noticeably more lively and less melancholic, until her pet was killed by her younger brother.
"It was only when that pet died that I realized she had an extraordinary attachment to it," Mr. Zoldyck said. "She was always very quiet. The first time I saw her angry and sad was then. At the same time, I realized another problem: the way she looked at me wasn't like how children look at their fathers. She seemed to want to kill me, and yet also wanted me to kill her. Because of the incident with the pet, she even tried to kill her younger brother."
"..." The doctor listened in silence, his heart filled with excitement.
The doctor thought he had hidden it well, but it was immediately noticed.
"You might find it strange for professional assassins to say this, but killing is just a profession for us, not a hobby. In our family, her situation is also considered abnormal. She considers herself a separate category, and other humans are different beings. That's what her gaze conveys," Mr. Zoldyck continued. "As you said before, she is a stubborn and sensitive child. Her brother sincerely apologized to her and received a corresponding punishment, but I know she didn't truly forgive him. She has adopted a different way of self-isolation; she has developed delusions."
Ah, delusions, not fantasies. It seemed Mr. Zoldyck, like last time, had done his homework thoroughly. Perhaps it was due to his assassin's nature, but Mr. Zoldyck was very cautious. Regardless of what others said, he likely trusted his own judgment implicitly.
"She is enthusiastic about collecting some meaningless items, items that, in reality, do not exist."
"Yes, this is indeed typical behavior for someone with delusions," the doctor nodded.
"She has developed murderous intent towards her family. Rather than rushing to change her mindset and make her more suspicious, I believe it's better not to expose it. If this defense mechanism can alleviate her suffering and not pose a threat to herself or her family, we don't mind her continuing to collect those non-existent things."
"It sounds like your daughter's condition is stable. Then, what is the issue you need to consult about this time?"
This question likely touched upon a topic Mr. Zoldyck was reluctant to discuss. He crossed his arms, "I'm not quite sure how to better interact with her. If her symptoms worsen and she becomes completely lost in her own world, only we as parents can pull her back."
The doctor couldn't help but express a slight surprise at the professional assassin's emphasis on family affection.
"Our family situation is rather unique," Mr. Zoldyck said, unconcerned by the doctor's reaction. "Despite some minor issues, she is, after all, a Zoldyck. She has undergone training and can become an assassin. Doctor, given your clinic's security level, she is currently capable of killing you."
"Ah..." The doctor cooperatively stretched the corners of his mouth. "You're very humorous. Is this the kind of joke a professional assassin would make?"
"This is not a joke. She has been growing, yet she still doesn't feel particularly close to us. This lag is very dangerous," Mr. Zoldyck replied. "If emotions were quantifiable, with a maximum of 100, I feel her affection for us is less than 10."
"Mr. Zoldyck, there's one thing I don't quite understand: can't you limit her growth?" the doctor asked.
"She has the will to be an assassin," Mr. Zoldyck said. "I am simply preparing for the worst-case scenario. I also hope things don't come to that. Back to the main topic, Doctor. How to interact with her better."
Picking up his teacup, the doctor took a sip of tea, moistening his throat.
"To be honest, regardless of the type of psychological problem, the core principle remains unchanged," the doctor sighed. "That is 'love.'"
"Win them over with sincerity."
"Prove it with time."
"In more practical terms, you need to cater to her interests, treat her with sincerity, always be good to her, care for her, accompany her, help her, and protect her. If anyone bullies her, stand up for her immediately—it's that simple, yet incredibly difficult."
"According to your description," Mr. Zoldyck paused, "What's the difference between this and a man pursuing a woman?"
"They're quite similar. Blood relations don't necessarily create closeness. From your description, your daughter's relationship with you completely began at the stranger level." Seeing no objection from the other party, the doctor continued, "Both familial affection and romantic love are attachment relationships between oneself and others. Love can transform into familial affection, and children learn about love through familial affection with their parents. There's no need to completely differentiate between the two."
"In the classification of attachment relationships, your daughter falls into the 'avoidant attachment' type. She finds it difficult to trust others and lacks a sense of security. She fears rejection, hurt, and betrayal, so she chooses to reject everyone first. Even reaching the most basic stage where she develops a little trust is extremely difficult. Because she is very sensitive, she might withdraw that little bit of trust at any moment," the doctor spread his hands. "However, you can't be too good to her, either. The better you are to her, the more cautious she becomes. She will fear betrayal even more and become anxious. This is incredibly difficult to navigate, as difficult as pursuing a girl who doesn't like you. So..."
"I don't need to tour your treatment facilities," Mr. Zoldyck stated definitively, preempting the doctor's suggestion.
Ah, Mr. Zoldyck was also a very stubborn person.
"Let's conclude for today. Thank you for your patient consultation," Mr. Zoldyck politely and distantly ended their second session.
From another perspective, compared to Mr. Zoldyck's high defenses, perhaps the child's defenses weren't such a big issue?
The child's condition would be better treated in a simple, warm, and ordinary family environment. Not to mention the peculiarities of an assassin family, the pressure of elite education and the complexity of interpersonal relationships in wealthy families alone made it difficult for ordinary people to feel secure.
The doctor's premonition that there would be future consultations deepened.
Unexpectedly, the third consultation occurred ten years later. The silver-haired young man from the Zoldyck family had matured into a more composed middle-aged man, making him even more inscrutable to the doctor.
One thing was certain: Mr. Zoldyck had concealed many of the patient's experiences over the past decade, which truly tested the doctor's professional skills.
Of course, the doctor had earned his reputation in the industry not through deception, but by successfully helping many patients return to normal lives.
"...To avoid significant trauma or pain, Miss Milluis is currently in a state of 'dissociation.' To put it metaphorically, it's like her soul has left her body. She doesn't belong to herself, doesn't recognize herself, doesn't know where she is, has forgotten time, and forgotten what she needs to do. She views herself from an observer's perspective, passively allowing 'herself' to act." In the Zoldyck conference room, the doctor delivered his final report. "Her problem lies in an overload of emotions. Surgery might be necessary. This can be detected through medical means. A brain CT scan can prove my conclusion."
The doctor's conclusion was not mistaken, and the corresponding brain surgery was not difficult to perform. The surgery involved removing a portion of the brain tissue responsible for emotions, thereby freeing the patient from emotional suffering.
In other words, the patient would become apathetic.
Milluis, who already felt distant from her family, would become even more so if she grew apathetic. This could potentially lead to her no longer being a Zoldyck.
The Zoldycks convened another family meeting.
"Besides surgery, isn't there conservative therapy?" Kikyo was the first to express her inability to accept it.
Indeed, surgery was not the only option, but Milluis was trapped in her own labyrinth. No one knew how close she was to the exit; perhaps very close, but more likely, very far.
"We've observed her for another month, and there's been no improvement, has there?" Shibba, the current head of the Zoldyck family, made the decision. "We will proceed with the surgery next week. Although I hope it will never be used... if Milluis no longer belongs to the Zoldycks, we still have the 'insurance measure' we kept from last time."
"Ah... my Milluis..." Kikyo raised her hands and covered her mouth with a hint of heartbreak.
When Kikyo stopped speaking, silence fell upon the conference room. The four Zoldycks present had deep, somber gazes.
Yes, that insurance measure. They hoped it would never be used.
As long as she didn't betray the Zoldycks.